>cost of... ...attending one is out of control

What costs are associated with attending a wedding?

Suits, dresses, flights, unless you plan to attend in basketball shorts and drive multiple states over (depending where people are located)

If we’re talking “classic” wedding (venue, hotels, catering, bachelorette/bachelor parties, etc)…

What other commenter said, plus covering bachelorette/bachelor parties (groom and bride don’t pay). Wedding gifts. Where I am from and you’re being accommodated- it’s kind of expected (and part of etiquette) to include cash with your gift to try to cover hotel and dining costs for yourself.

Clothes, accommodation, gifts, alcohol, stag dos